Engine.



' Patentad, Aug. 26, I902.

- T. comm.

E N G l N E.

Application filed Oct. 10, 1901.)

. (No Modal.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

Patented Aug. 26, I902. T. comm.

ENGINE. (Application filed Oct. 10, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Mpdel.)

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V 1 V N x IUNITED Frames ATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS CONLIN, OF MOUNT SAVAGE, MARYLAND.

ENGINE.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters latent N 0. 707,904, dated August 26, 1902.

Application filed October 10, 1901. $erial1l0- '7S,20Z. (No model.)

To (11], 1071/0721, i1; III/[b1] concern.-

Be it known thatI, THOMAS CoNLIN, of Mount Savage, in the county of Allegany, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and usefulImprovementsinEngines,ofwhich the following is a complete specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention is specially, but not exclusive1y,applicable to steam pu mps,in which the actuating member of the pump consists of a piston driven by steam or other expansible fluid within a cylinder. It is well understood in the art relating to such pumps that the load of the pump is at intervals lost. The consequent tendency of the piston is to drive with excessive force against one head or the other of the cylinder. To avoid strain upon the mechanism, means for inter-posing aircushions between the piston and cylinderheads have heretofore been adopted.

The object of my invention is to provide automatic valve mechanism for effecting the interposition of air-cushions for the purpose specified and which when once properly set performs its function automatically and uninterruptedly. I

From the foregoing description it will be perceived that my invention is applicable to fluid-driven engines generally, but more particularly to any such in which the reciprocation of the piston would tend to produce strain upon the cylinder-heads.

The valve mechanism by which the object of my invention is accomplished preferably comprehends a main fluid-driven valve and a mechanically-actuated auxiliary valve constituting a fluid-directing valve; but it will become obvious in the following specification that in the broader aspect of my invention those and similar details of construction are non-essential, however preferable they may be and as I regard them in practice.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a side elevation of a portion of a pumpingengine, showing its cylinder and cylindersupporting frame in conjunction with a pre ferred form of embodiment of my invention. Fig. II is a vertical section of the subject matter of Fig. I with certain portions in elevation, the main valve being shown at its lower limit of movement to correspond with the uppermost position of the piston. Fig. III is a View similar to Fig. II, showing the position of the main valve and piston reversed. Fig. IV is a vertical section of the subject-matter of Fig. III, showing the rela tion of the auxiliary valve to the main valve,

portions of the mechanism being shown in main-valve-shell head detached, illustrating the boring thereof through which steam is admitted against the head of the main valve to actuate it. Fig. VIII is a perspective view of the auxiliary valve detached.

Referring to the numerals on the drawiugs, 1 indicates a cylinder provided with heads 2 and 3, adapted to accommodate a piston 4, from which a piston-rod 5 proceeds through a stuffing-box 6 in the cylinder-head 3.

7 indicates supporting members of the cylinder-frame.

8 indicates the main-valve shell, and 9 and 10 flanges upon the cylinder 1 and shell 8, respectively, whereby they are assembled, as by bolts 11, in the ordinary manner.

As clearly shown in Figs. II and III, the shell 8 and cylinder 1 are provided conjointly with ports and 16, which communicate, respectively, between the interior of the cylinder 1 and the bore 17 of the shell 8. They are adapted alternately to perform the functions of supply and discharge ports and to communicate in like manner with a common discharge-port 18 in the cylinder 1 and shell 8, respectively.

WVithin the bore 17 of the shell Sis snugly fitted between the heads 19 and 20, secured to the shell 8, a reciprocating main Valve 22. This valve has near its opposite extremities annular passages 23 and 2-1, which register, respectively, with the ports 15 and 16 on the one side of the bore 17 of the shell 8 and with inlets 25 and 26, which establish com munica tion through a Wall 27 with the main supply port 29. The passages 23 and 24 are so located that when the valve 22 is at its lower limit of movement the passage 23 establishes upward limit of movement, as shown in Fig.

III, reverses the relation of the passages 23 and 24 to the ports 15 and 16, constituting the port 16 into the supply-port.

The valve 22 is provided with an endwise preferably coaxial bore 30, which, as through outlet-passages 31 and 32 in the wall of the valve, is adapted to establish communication alternately between the ports 15 and 16 and the common discharge-port 18, the passages 31 and 32 being so located, as will appear upon comparison of Figs. II and III, that when the valve 22 is in one position it establishes communication between the port 15 and the port 18, and when in the opposite position establishes communication between the port 16 and the port 18. v

The mechanism above described resembles or is at least analogous to mechanism of the same general type; but it is in connection with and by the aid of the mechanism already specified thata principal object of my present invention is attained-namely, the provision of automatic means for the interposition of a fluid cushion between the piston 4 and the opposite cylinderheads 2 and 3 during the reciprocat-ory movement of the piston. To accomplish that object, the bore 30 of the valve 22 is provided, as has been specified, and Within the bore are fitted adjustable plugs 33 and 34, which are adapted to beset at fixed positions with respect to the valveshell heads 19 and 20, respectively, without interfering with the reciprocal movement of the valve 22. By reason of their adjustability the plugs 33 and 34 are so set as to constrict the passages 31 and 32 alternately through the movement of the valve 22. As shown in Fig. 11, the plug 34 constricts the passage 32, and, as shown in Fig. III, the plug 33 constricts the passage 31. The plugs maybe ad justed so as to entirely close the passages 31 and 32; but in practice they are adjusted so that they will so far constrict the passages as to cramp the spent steam after each complete reciprocation of the piston 4, so that with the reverse movement of the piston the spent steam constitutes ayielding but effective cushion to the piston as it is driven by the impulse of the live steam upon its opposite face.

justing the two plugs beingidentical, only one is completely illustrated in the drawings, the upper one being in part broken away. It must be understood, therefore, that the illustration and description of the lower adjusting mechanism constitutes equally a description of the upper. Proceeding accordingly, the stem 36 works within a sleeve 37 of a stuffing-box 38, that screws into the lower end of the bore 30 of the valve 22. The sleeve 37 works in a stuffing-box 40 in the end of the valve-shell head 20. The sleeve 37 being rigidly secured to the end of the valve 22, I prefer to provide upon the end of the sleeve an adjustably-fixed collar 41, which having a finger 42 projecting from it on one side and working in a slotted frame 43, fixed to the cylinder-frame, is adapted to preserve oper ative relations between the passages in the valve 22 and the ports with which they respectively communicate. Upon the end of the stem 36 below the collar 41 I provide a screw 44, preferably provided with a knurled handle 45, which works between adj ustablyfixed slip-collars 46 and 47 upon the stem. The screw 44 is threaded into the barrel 48 of a guide-stud 49, fixed to the frame 43. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that by manipulation of the handle 45 the stem 36 may be operated longitudinally through the barrel 48 and that by that means the position of the plug 34 may be adjusted within necessary limits.

Having described the means by which when the valve 22 is reciprocated a cushion may be provided for the piston 4, the means for actuating the valve 22 remain to be specified. Obviously various means may be employed, and I do not intend to limit myself to the particular means specified; but I prefer to employa fluid-directing auxiliary valve whose movements being necessarily relative to the movement of the piston-rod 5 may be mechanically shifted by a direct connection therewith.

Referring particularly to Fig. I, 50 indicates an auxiliary valve-shell, which may be of any preferred shape and dimensions. It is preferably internally provided with a cylindrical bore 51, (see, for example, Fig. IV,) within which is a reciprocatory valve 52. This valve is preferably provided with a medial recess 53, (see Fig. V,) within which worksacam-head 54, secured to the inner end of a shaft 55, mounted in a wall of the shell 50. To the outer end of the shaft is fixed a bifurcated member 56, having two legs 57 and 58, between which vibrates a pin-59, carried upon a lever 60, fulcrumed, as indicated at 61, to the shell 50 or other fixed part of the machine. The end of the lever 60 opposite to that which carries the pin 59 is loosely united, as by a wrist-pin 62, with the slotted end 64 of a pitman 65. The lower end of the pitman 65 is pivotally united, as indicated at 66, to the piston-rod 5 as by means of a framepiece 67. The frame-piece 67 being fixed to the piston-rod 5 is preferably guided in its up-and-down movement as by a rigid guiderod 68, secured to parts of the cylinder and frame and passing through a bearing provided for it in the frame-piece 67.

From the construction last above specified it will be perceived that with each reciprocation of the piston-rod 5 a rocking movement will be imparted to the shaft 55, which will serve to impart a reciprocating movement to the valve 52. This movement of the valve 52, being designed to accomplish the movement of the piston 4: through the relative movement of the valve 22, I prefer to construct the valve 52 as follows: In one side thereof I provide a channel 70, extending from end to end of the valve. (See Fig. VIII.) This channel receives steam from the main supply-port 20 by way of a branch passage 71in the shell 8, communicating with a continnationthereof72in theshell50. (SeeFig.VI.) Steam admitted into the channel fills the ends of the bore 51 where it enters terminal recesses 73 and 7% in the valve 52. These recesses communicate, through apertures 75 and 76, (see Fig. V, for example,) with gates 77 and 78in the valve. (Compare Figs. IV and III.) Between the gates 77 and 7b is a recess 80. The gates 77 and 78 are adapted alternately to supply steam to the auxiliary ports 81 and 82, formed in the shell 8, (see Fig. IV,) so that when steam is supplied to one of the auxiliary ports it is exhausted from the other. The function of the recess 80 is to establish communication between the port 81 or S2,from which the steam is exhausted,and an auxiliary discharge-port 83, which communicates with the common discharge-port 18. (Compare Figs. IV and VI.) From the description last preceding it will be clear, in view of the drawings referred to therein, that by the shifting of the valve 52 either of the ports 81 or 82 may be converted into a steam-supply port and that when one is converted into a supplyport the other becomes adischarge-port communicating through the auxiliary discharge port 83 with the common discharge-port of the machine. Each of the auxiliary ports 81 and S2 communicates, preferably, by a passage formed in one of the heads of the shell 8 with the bore 17 of the valve-shell. Conse quently the conversion of the port 81 into a supply-port drives the valve 22 toward the head 20 of its shell, and the conversion of the port 82 into a supply-port drives it in the opposite direction against the head 19 of its shell. The boring of the heads 19 and 20 being identical, one of those heads is illustrated in Fig. VII, from inspection of which it will appear that the passages in the head referred to consist of an extended recess 85, which at its end 86 communicates with its appropriate port 81 or 82. Its opposite end 87 communicates with an angular bent passage 88, that opens into the bore 17 of the shell 8. The

two passages 88 are clearly shown in Figs. II and III of the drawings and are indicated in Fig. IV as well as in Fig. VII. I prefer to employ abutment-screws 89 of ordinary type, by which the capacity of the passages 88 may be regulated.

In describing the operation of my machine I shall refer to the propulsive fluid as steam, although it is obvious that any other similar elastic fluid or gas may be substituted therefor. Proceedingaccordingly,letit be assumed that the several members of the engine are in the position shown in Fig. II of the drawings, for example. In that position steam is admitted through the main supply-port 29 into the elongated chamber, which constitutes a part of the supply-port within the shell 8, from which it finds egress through the inlet 25 into the passage 23, formed about the valve 22. From the passage 23 steam passes into the port 15 and issues thence in to the interior of the cylinder 1 between its head 2 and the piston 4. Driving the piston in a direction away from the head 2, the piston forces the air ahead of it out through the port 16 and the outlet-passage 32 into the bore 30 of the valve 22, and thence through the dischargeport 18. The movement of the piston-rod 5, derivedfrom the movement of the piston above described, imparts motion, through the frame 67 and pitman 65, to the lever (30, which causes the pin 59in the short end of thelever to strike the leg 57 of the member 56, and thereby to actuate the shaft 55. The movement of the shaft 55 causes the cam-head 54 to shift the position of the valve 52, whereupon, in the manner previously described, it directs a supply of steam derived through the branch passages 71 and 72 through the aperture 76 and gate 78 into the auxiliary port 82, whence, issuing through the passages and 88, it exerts pressure against the contiguous head of the valve 22 and drives it to the position shown in Fig. IV of the drawings. \Vhen the valve 22 reaches the position last referred to, (see Fig. III,) the port 15 is placed into communication with the discharge-port 18, while live steam direct from the supply-port 29 is delivered, as previously specified, through the port 16 underneath the piston 4. This action causes the reciprocation of the piston, which again actuates the lever 60 and reverses the position of the valve 52. The continuous reciprocation of the rod 5, actuating the valve 52, produces constant operation of the engine. It should be noted in this connection that the required exhaust in front of the valve 22 is permitted alternately through the auxiliary ports 81 and 82 in the manner previously specified and that through the adjustment of the plugs 33 and 34 the required cramping of the exhaust-steam from the cylinder 1 is secured to afford the requisite cushioning of the piston at with each stroke that it makes.

Having specified and illustrated a preferred form of embodiment of myinvention and having stated that I do not intend to restrict myself to the details of construction embodied in said preferred form, what I claim is 1. In an engine the combination with a cylinder,piston, and means of supply and exhaust, of automatic means of constricting the means of exhaust,alternately with each stroke of the piston, substantially for the purpose specified. I

2. The combination with a cylinder and piston, a pair of ports communicating with the cylinder, and a supply-port and common exhaust, of a movable valve, means for alternately establishing communication between the two ports and the supply and exhaust, and means for constricting one of said ports each time it makes communication with the exhaust, substantiallyfor the purpose specified.

3. The combination with a cylinder and piston, a pair of ports communicating with the cylinder, and a supply-port and common exhaust, of a movable valve, means for alternately establishing communication between the two ports and the supply and exhaust, and means for constricting one of said ports each time it makes communication with the exhaust, said means being adjustable independently of the movement of the valve, substantially for the purpose specified.

4. The combination with a cylinder, piston and valve-shell, of a pair of ports communicating with the bore of the shell, an exhaust communicating therewith, and a supply-port, of a valve provided with a longitudinal bore, movable within the bore of the shell, means of alternate communication between the supply-port and the ports of the cylinder around the bore of the valve, and means of alternate communication between the ports of the valve and the discharge-port through the bore of the valve.

5. The combination with a cylinder, piston and valve-shell, of a pair of ports communicating with the bore of the shell, an exhaust communicating therewith, and a supply-port, of a valve provided with a longitudinal bore, movable Within the bore of the shell, means of alternate communication between the supply-port and the ports of the cylinder around the bore of the valve, means of alternate communication between the ports of the valve and the discharge-port through the bore of the valve, and plugs within the bore of the valve carried by the shell, independent of the movement of the valve.

6. The combination with a cylinder, piston and valveshell, of a pair of ports communicating with the bore of the shell, an exhaust communicating therewith, and a supply-port, of a valve provided with a longitudinal bore, movable within the bore of the shell, means of alternate communication between the supply-port and the ports of the cylinder around the bore of the valve, means of alternate communication between the ports of the valve, and independently-adjustable plugs Within the bore of the valve carried by the shell independent of the movement of the valve.

7. The combination with a cylinder, piston and valve-shell, of a pair of ports communicating with the bore of the shell, an exhaust communicating therewith, and a supply-port, of a valve provided with a longitudinal bore movable Within the bore of the shell, means of alternate communication between the sup ply-port and the ports of the cylinder around the bore of the valve, means of alternate communication between the ports of the valve and the discharge-port through the bore of the valve, and plugs Within the bore of the valve carried by the shell, independent of the movement of the valve, and means for shifting the position of the valve by fluid-pressure derived from said supply-port.

8. The combination with a cylinder, piston and valve-shell, of a pair of ports communicating with the bore of the shell, an exhaust communicating therewith, and a supply-port, of a valve provided with a longitudinal bore movable within the bore of the shell, means of alternate communication between the supplyport and the ports of the cylinder around the bore of the valve, means of alternate communication between the ports of the valve and the discharge-port through the bore of the valve, plugs within the bore of the valve carried by the shell, independent of the movement of the valve, and means for shift-ing the position of the valve by fluid-pressure derived from said supply-port, said means being actuated by the movement of the piston-rod.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

THOMAS CONLIN.

Witnesses:

JAMES BARRETT, J OSEPH A. BRANEN. 

